Ben Morris & the Great American Boxcar Chorus is a long name, but its one worth remembering. They are still in the early years of their collective musical mission, but they've already made their way around Texas with the scrappy grace of a young band that will go to any length to make themselves heard. With over three hundred and fifty full-band gigs already under their belt, and with their first proper full-band album (Underground Railroad, self-released) having been released in Spring 2009, the College Station-based band is looking to retrace their steps across the bars, music halls and festivals of the Lone Star State (and beyond) while blazing new trails, winning over new fans as they introduce a new set of tunes and ideas to the world. The Boxcars (for short) music is easy to enjoy but difficult to define, drawing on countless influences and touching on many genres. Different songs evoke different combinations of driving bar-band country, adventurous indie-rock, catchy mainstream rock and lyrically driven folk. The depth and resonance of Morris baritone vocals have earned comparisons to Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings, but he stops short of imitating such musical legends (aside from the occasional cover song) and instead collaborates with his bandmates to create something original and new. Before forming the Great American Boxcar Chorus, Morris had already made some waves in his corner of the musical world. His uncommon entry into live music started when he teamed up with a college buddy to perform as Jeff & Ben: the duos combination of offbeat comedy tunes, drinking songs and unconventional covers went over well at open mic shows around Central Texas, to the point where the two began landing paid gigs and drawing surprising crowds. It was fun but not made for the long haul; when the duo amicably went their separate ways, Morris opted to make a sharp change in direction. He quietly dropped the comedic approach and took a break from gigging to write and record "The Other Side Of Broken", the solo debut album where he began to find his voice. Loosely a concept album about the stages of heartbreak (with a couple of unrelated curveballs thrown in), the heartfelt lyrics, rich vocals and vibrant, textured sound were a surprise to those familiar with his earlier work. It also won him a whole new audience, with songs like Count On Me, Thundercloud, and No Saving Grace only modestly breaking through on mainstream radio but going into heavy rotation on request-driven Internet radio sites like Radio Free Texas. Though he initially approached his live shows as a solo acoustic act, Morris evolving ambitions inspired him to put together a full band. It was a fairly short search; soon he was joined by Jon Dittfurth on bass and background vocals, Bucky Bachmeyer on drums, and Coby Tate on lead guitar. The collaboration clicked so well that the newly committed band needed a name and “the Great American Boxcar Chorus" was born. The group worked up the material from ˜The Other Side Of Broken and were soon gigging all over Central Texas and beyond, having a blast exploring their musical common ground and gradually creating the new music that comprises the new release, ˜Underground Railroad. The album is a collaboration in the truest sense; the Boxcars largely passed on bringing in hired guns and opted to record most of the music themselves, and this time out Morris' songwriting is augmented by contributions from each of the band members. Dittfurth had already been working the area for years as a part-time singer/songwriter, while Tate and Bachmeyer were new to the craft but emboldened by their bands democratic approach. The contributions of all four members come together potently on the new album, a country-rock statement of purpose and optimism set to carry them to a new level as their grassroots following grows, spreads, and cheers the boys on.

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05/10/2007 - Local musician uses his experiences as inspiration for songs - Read More

When you hear this CD, you hear the rough times that this true original Texas artist has lived through. He writes songs from the heart and sings from the soul. This is a guy that we will definately be hearing more from in the future.

Ben Morris and the Great American Boxcar Chorus 08/17/2007

Louise

Ben your cd is great!! Keep up the good work. I love to hear a good song that tells a story....

Ben Morris and the Great American Boxcar Chorus 07/29/2007

rick dog

the cd was awesome. i highly advise anyone who reads this to purchase a copy. ben is a great song writer, and talented performer. i hope to c more from him in the near future

Ben Morris and the Great American Boxcar Chorus 07/04/2007

Cherokee

Ben writes from the heart, his songs have the quality people in this business love to hear.. truly genuine, wow Ben you are the greatest... Keep up the great work...

Ben Morris and the Great American Boxcar Chorus 06/26/2007

dont hesitate

As a good friend of Ben's, I know the stories behind these songs. These are true songs that are delivered truly...some to a point where the people who they were written about were offended. The mark of a great songwriter. If you're talking about music other than the plethora of good time songs and want to listen to music that will move you, then Ben Morris has one of the best records of the year. And the live show with his new band isn't half bad either.

Ben Morris and the Great American Boxcar Chorus 06/05/2007

Chris

Outrageous!

Ben Morris and the Great American Boxcar Chorus 06/05/2007

MEM

This CD is deeply felt, sharply produced, and one of the more creative & original things to come out in this genre in the last few years. Plus his voice has turned into one hell of an instrument in it's own right, nobody else sounds like this nowadays (and I mean that in a good way).

Ben Morris and the Great American Boxcar Chorus 04/19/2007

bilygote

Totally awesome CD. I like happy songs. Totally enjoyed listening to the CD 'til I ate it. It was an accident. I am a gote and I can find nutritional value in almost anything. I find out that Track 9 is high in Potassium. That was my favorite. Seriously awesome CD Ben. Start booking more shows and if you need anything let me know cabron. BARAMU!

Ben Morris and the Great American Boxcar Chorus 04/18/2007

Jon

Gotta check him out. Not only a talented singer/songwriter, but one hell of a great guy. They don't come much nicer. Way to go Ben.

Ben Morris and the Great American Boxcar Chorus 04/03/2007

Britany W.

WOW...this man has talent! If you haven't heard of him before then you're in for a REAL treat. Treat yourself to some talent!